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Ligue 1 leaders Paris Saint-Germain threw away a two-goal lead against Monaco as Kevin Volland's second-half brace and a late Cesc Fabregas penalty secured a remarkable 3-2 win at Stade Louis II on Friday. 

Thomas Tuchel's side had looked to be cruising to a ninth consecutive top-flight win thanks to Kylian Mbappe's double against his former side before the interval. 

Monaco were a team reborn in the second half, though, and claimed a stunning three points thanks to Volland's close-range strikes and Fabregas' 84th-minute spot-kick, with PSG's Abdou Diallo sent off in the penalty incident.

The result means PSG's lead at the Ligue 1 summit can be cut to just two points if Lille overcome Lorient on Sunday.

Keylor Navas had to be alert in the early stages to paw away Volland's powerful free-kick as PSG started sluggishly.

Tuchel's side did forge ahead after 28 minutes, though, courtesy of their first shot on target. Mbappe latched onto Angel Di Maria's through-ball, raced away from Axel Disasi and coolly lifted over Vito Mannone from 15 yards.

The 21-year-old then scored his second eight minutes before the interval, powering past Mannone from the spot after Youssouf Fofana had fouled Rafinha while attempting to block a cross.

Moise Kean and Mbappe had efforts ruled out by VAR for offside, while the former also crashed a header against the crossbar before half-time as PSG threatened to run riot.

Navas made a wonderful save after the restart to keep out Volland's header from a corner, but there was little he could do to prevent the German tapping home to reduce the deficit after 52 minutes.

Volland then drew Monaco level in the 65th minute, tapping into an empty net after substitute Fabregas had clipped across the face of goal after a move involving Aurelien Tchouameni.

Monaco sealed the most unlikely of three points six minutes from time when Fabregas slammed in from 12 yards after Diallo had lost possession and brought down Volland inside the area.

Referee Clement Turpin compounded defender Diallo's misery by upgrading his caution to a red card following a pitchside review as Monaco celebrated their first league win in eight attempts against the French champions.

What does it mean? Stirring fightback floors PSG

Monaco should have been dead and buried at half-time, but Niko Kovac's side produced one of the most memorable turnarounds in recent Ligue 1 history to leave the champions reeling. They were good value for the victory, too. They had 15 shots to PSG's nine, completed more passes (541 to 494) and won the possession battle in each half.

It marks only the third time the hosts have beaten PSG in their last 17 Ligue 1 matches, while the Parisians, who substituted Mbappe when the game was in the balance, are left to rue a first domestic defeat since the 1-0 loss to Marseille on September 13. 

Fabregas rolls back the years

Introduced at half-time, 33-year-old Fabregas was the key figure behind Monaco's wonderful comeback. In addition to scoring the late winner, the former Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder had three shots, made a joint game-high three key passes - one of which led to Volland's second - and put in two successful crosses, more than any of his team-mates. 

Diallo costs his side dear

PSG would be heading back to the capital with a point had it not been for Diallo's slapstick defending. The 24-year-old inexplicably gifted Volland the ball late on and then proceeded to haul him down, allowing Fabregas to seal maximum points.

What's next?

PSG face a crunch Champions League Group H clash against RB Leipzig on Tuesday before returning to domestic action at home to Bordeaux on Saturday. Monaco, meanwhile, host Nimes next Sunday.

Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa has lavished praise on his Arsenal counterpart Mikel Arteta, saying he sees things in the Gunners that he has never witnessed before.

The Gunners travel to Elland Road to take on newly promoted Leeds in the Premier League on Sunday, and Bielsa is expecting a tough test.

Bielsa has proved throughout his managerial career that he is a student of the game, and is fastidious in his approach to matches.

As such, it is no surprise he has been forensic in his preparations for Arsenal, and he has been impressed with what he has seen from a tactical standpoint.

“Arsenal is one of the best teams in the league,” Bielsa said at a press conference on Friday. "They have players of hierarchy in all of their lines. 

They have a manager who proposes a style which distinguishes the team. He’s a coach who wants his team to play as he projects. 

“From a tactical point of view, if you watch Arsenal closely they show things that I have never seen in any other team.”

Arteta is in the fledgling stage of his managerial career, having only taken charge of the Gunners last season.

However, he served his apprenticeship under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City and he would have learned plenty from his fellow Spaniard.

It appears that Bielsa feels Arteta is on the right track at Arsenal, and it will be an intriguing tactical battle on Sunday.

Bielsa will welcome Kalvin Phillips back into his squad for the first time since October 19 following a shoulder injury, and he is delighted to have the England midfielder available.

“He is a player with a big capacity to recover the ball,” Bielsa said of Phillips. “He's a midfielder who is able to find passes which are not normal for someone.

"To give an example, it’s difficult to find a defensive midfielder who can give a pass like Phillips gave [Jack] Harrison in the first game of the season against Liverpool. That kind of pass, an offensive midfielder is more likely to give to you. It's very difficult to find it in a defensive midfielder.”

Phillips has improved massively under Bielsa’s tutelage, but the former Argentina coach feels the development is down to the player.

“The evolution of Phillips is a constant one, not due to what I’m proposing, but because he has a lot of capacity to analyse and also criticise himself,” Bielsa said. “He finds what he needs to improve and correct in his game. And he does this by himself.”

Samuel Kalu provided an assist on his return from a hamstring injury to help Bordeaux secure a 1-0 win over Rennes in Friday’s Ligue 1 game.

The 23-year-old suffered the injury while on international duty with Nigeria in their friendly against Algeria in Austria in October.

Kalu subsequently missed Bordeaux’s last four games, against Marseille, Nimes, Monaco and Montpellier.

The winger was also not involved in the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone, where they played a back-to-back draw.

Kalu returned to training on Monday with the rest of the Girondins’ squad and after proving his fitness, he was handed a starting role against the Red and Blacks.

The forward played behind his compatriot Josh Maja, who spearheaded Bordeaux attack in the encounter.

Kalu made a significant contribution, setting up Hatem Ben Arfa for the only goal of the game, to ensure his side clinched their fourth win of the season.

The Super Eagles star dribbled past his markers before sending a through ball to Ben Arfa, who fired his effort into the back of the net.

Kalu only lasted for 57 minutes in the encounter before he was replaced by Remi Oudin after suffering another injury.

Maja featured for the hour mark before making ways for Jimmy Briand while Amadou Traore was introduced for Mehdi Zerkane in the 59th minute.

Senegal international M'Baye Niang played for 13 minutes after replacing Sehrou Guirassy, Mali international Hamari Traore was brought on for Brandon Soppy while Ghana target Jeremy Doku featured for 58 minutes.

The victory ensured the Girondins moved to 11th on the league table after gathering 15 points from 11 games.

The nature of Kalu’s new injury is yet to be known and it is uncertain if he would be available for selection in Bordeaux’s next league game against Paris Saint-Germain on November 28.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang isn't just known for his goal-scoring prowess - he is also famed for his passion for Marvel characters, having donned a few superhero masks during his time at both Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund.

But why does the Gabon international wear these character masks? Goal takes a look.

He is clearly a fan of the films, but revealed in 2020 that he enjoys wearing the masks because he wants to make his son, and other young football fans, happy when he scores.

The prolific Arsenal forward has a reputation for his goal celebrations, saluting his strikes with a Spiderman mask during his time at Dortmund and Saint-Etienne.

He went on to wear a Black Panther mask when he scored for Arsenal in the Europa League in 2019, saying after the game: "I needed a mask which represents me and that's the Black Panther. In Gabon, we call the national team the Panthers."

After the passing of Black Panther actor Chadwick Boseman in August 2020, Aubameyang paid tribute to him by crossing his arms on his chest - the 'Wakanda Forever' gesture - the day after, when he scored against Liverpool during Arsenal's triumphant 2020 Community Shield victory.

But while Aubameyang wears his fondness for Marvel movies on his sleeve, there are some - such as Germany and Real Madrid star Toni Kroos - who aren't a fan of his celebrations.

Kroos criticised Aubameyang's mask-wearing celebrations, branding them as 'silly' and full of 'nonsense'.

The midfielder said on his Einfach mal Luppen podcast: "I find it [choreographed celebrations] very silly. Even worse is if there are any objects hidden in their socks. Aubameyang once celebrated and took out a mask. That's where it ends with me. I don't think that's a good role model, either. What nonsense."

Aubameyang then hit back at Kroos on social media, defending his decision to celebrate with the masks. He asked if Kroos had kids, since his own son is the main reason he wears the Marvel masks.

“By the way - does this Toni Kroos have kids? Just remember, I did it for my son a few times and I will do it again. I wish you have kids one day and make them happy like this junior school pupil. And don’t forget #maskon #staysafe,” he wrote on Twitter.

The Gabon international went one step further later, posting a photo of himself wearing a Batman mask and Marco Reus celebrating a goal at Dortmund with the caption: "Send Toni Kroos congratulations for his 3 Kids cordially your Batman and Robin."

Aubameyang found further support from his Arsenal team-mate, Mesut Ozil, who was formerly Kroos' team-mate with Germany.

The Gunners outcast posted a video of Aubameyang in the Black Panther mask, describing it as “the best goal celebration."

Kroos later stated that

Vincent Enyeama has advised former Abia State Governor, Orji Uzor Kalu, to invest in Nigeria Professional Football League side Enyimba rather than pursuing a bid to buy Arsenal.

The 60-year-old senator has expressed his desire to buy a 35 per cent stake in the Premier League club to turn around the fortunes of the Gunners.

During Kalu’s reign as governor of Abia State, Enyimba enjoyed great success in the domestic front, winning the NPFL titles and clinching the Caf Champions League trophy in 2003 and 2004.

Enyeama was part of the Peoples' Elephant’s team during Kalu’s reign as governor and urged the politician and businessman to use his money to develop Enyimba rather than taking it abroad.

“Why not invest that money in Enyimba and turn it into a mega-club,” Enyeama tweeted.

“A club that will bring in a lot of sponsors and create job opportunities for the youth. Nigeria has no mega-club side that we can boast of.”

Kalu revealed his desire to invest in the Gunners is inspired by his quest to help the club win more trophies, including the Champions League and the Premier League.

“Our success with Enyimba FC between 2000-07 has continuously increased my passion for football," Kalu tweeted.

“As the pillar of sports in Africa, I am considering an investment in football and I will buy 35 per cent stake in Arsenal FC.

“Our target is to lift the Champions League and the Premier League, and valuable investment as well.

“Doing what you love and loving it is where greatness lies. I need 35 per cent of Arsenal to bring back trophies.”

Enyeama played for three years with Enyimba before leaving Nigeria to continue his development with Israeli Premier League club Bnei Yehuda.

The goalkeeper also featured for Hapoel Tel Aviv and French club Lille before his retirement from professional football.

Karim Benzema is a notable absentee from Real Madrid’s 20-man squad for the trip to Villarreal in La Liga.

Real return to action on Saturday following the international break, but will travel to Villarreal without their key attacking weapon.

Reports on Friday morning suggested the French forward was struggling to shake off a knock he picked up in the Liga game against Valencia on November 8.

Benzema opened the scoring in Valencia, but failed to finish the 4-1 defeat after picking up an injury and it is proving more troublesome than initially thought.

The forward is not the only absentee for manager Zinedine Zidane to contend with. 

Captain and key defender Sergio Ramos’ absence was confirmed on Thursday. He picked up a hamstring injury during Spain’s 6-0 win over Germany on Wednesday evening and could be sidelined for a number of weeks.

Casemiro and Eder Militao have not been included in the traveling party. Both tested positive for the coronavirus before the international break and have been isolating away from the squad. The Brazilians are back with the Real camp, but have not been deemed fit enough to travel.

Serbia international forward Luka Jovic is sidelined after testing positive for the coronavirus on Friday.

A positive for Zidane is that Eden Hazard has been included in the squad. The Belgian tested positive for Covid-19 a couple of weeks ago, but is now clear to play and has been deemed fit enough to be included in the squad.

The trip to Villarreal is the start of a busy spell for Real, which will see them play 10 games in 32 days - and that includes trips to Inter Milan and Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.

Zidane is concerned by the workload being asked of the players.

“I don't want to say too much but what I can say is because I see that the schedule is too much,” he said at a press conference on Friday.  “I think about the health of the players, nothing more. They never stop. And I’m not just talking about my players. It’s true that I’m worried.

“There are people who are there to make the schedule, but I’m worried by it.”

ATK Mohun Bagan picked up a hard-fought win in their first-ever Indian Super League (ISL) match against Kerala Blasters in the opening day fixture on Friday. 

The Mariners looked rusty on the pitch and their star players were far from their best due to lack of a proper pre-season. Adding to their woes was the injury to Michael Soosairaj in the 12th minute of the game as a result of a clumsy tackle by Prasanth Karuthadathkuni.

Coach Antonio Habas was not pleased with the referee’s decision of not awarding ATK Mohun Bagan a foul despite Soosairaj injuring his knee.

“We have to evaluate the injury of (Michael) Soosairaj but the first time I saw him it wasn't a good feeling. I think that the referee should have given a foul because the player had almost broken his knee. But it is not a problem. We have to provide support to Soosairaj so that he can recover immediately,” said the Spanish coach.

Australian striker David Williams, who was a regular starter in erstwhile ATK’s title-winning season last year alongside Roy Krishna in the strike force, found himself on the bench and was introduced only in the 82nd minute of the match.

Habas explained why he excluded the star striker from the starting lineup in the opening match. He said, “We had to be cautious in the first match of the season. It is not good for a player to play 90 minutes in this humidity and with this intensity when you have not played for eight months. We have to substitute everyone be it Roy (Krishna), (David) Williams or Edu (Garcia). But I think he played well.”

The two-time ISL winning coach hailed his team’s performance in the season opener and also quipped that they will think about their next opposition East Bengal only after Sunday.

“It is very difficult and very complicated to compete after eight months. In this match, the team showed a fantastic attitude and as a whole, it was a brilliant effort. Now we have to think about East Bengal after Sunday. We will be training every day.”

The Spanish boss was not happy with how his team’s midfielders and strikers performed but he claimed that he was satisfied with the win.

“We have to correct the situation in the central midfield and in the striking zone. We have to press the opponent. Everything else was good for us. Kerala Blasters played a good match but we won the three points. I am very happy with the three points. Today (Friday) is about three points.”

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola believes Tottenham are contenders to win the Premier League this season thanks to the "really good" work of Jose Mourinho.

Second-place Spurs are unbeaten in seven top-flight matches since their opening-game defeat to Everton - the longest such run in the division - and are a point behind leaders Leicester City.

Tottenham host City on Saturday and are seeking a fourth successive league win for the first time since February 2019 when Mauricio Pochettino was in charge.

Friday marks exactly a year since Mourinho succeeded Pochettino and Guardiola has been impressed with his long-time rival's work in north London.

"He's done really good, as always in all the clubs [he's managed]," Guardiola said at Friday's pre-match news conference.

"The numbers speak for themselves. They dropped points against West Ham and Newcastle in the last minute - imagine the points if they hadn't.

"They are contenders. The quality they've got is always there. They qualified for the Champions League for four or five years and reached the final.

"They have been a good team since Pochettino took over. It is a fantastic squad."

City have lost their two meetings with Spurs at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in all competitions, including a 2-0 defeat in last season's corresponding fixture.

Their return of 12 points from seven league games this season is the fewest collected by a Guardiola-managed side but the Catalan coach insists his team are making good progress.

"We are getting better," he said when reflecting on the most recent meeting with Tottenham nine months ago. 

"But I don't want to focus on Tottenham - they are not my concern. We have a lot of games coming up and it is important we look to get everyone back fit."

Fernandinho and Nathan Ake will miss this weekend's match, while Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling are fitness doubts as they work their way back from injury.

"Except for Nathan and Ferna, the rest of the players have come back from international duty," Guardiola said. 

"Fernandinho is not fit. He has gastroenteritis, something in his stomach. Sergio trained this week. Raheem trained for the first time today with the team, so we'll see."

Mourinho has lost 10 of his 24 managerial meetings with Guardiola in all competitions - more than he has suffered against any other coach.

Guardiola, who penned a new two-year deal with City on Thursday, has only beaten Manuel Pellegrini (12) more times his career.

Kerala Blasters could not start their 2020-21 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign with a win as Kibu Vicuna's side went down 0-1 against ATK Mohun Bagan in the season opener on Friday..

A goal by Roy Krishna was enough to seal the win for the debutants ATK Mohun Bagan against a team that looked clueless in the final third. 

The Spanish coach, though, suggested that he was satisfied with his team’s performances and also opined that luck was not on their side.

“We prepared for this game the best we could,” said the Blasters boss after the game. “The plan of the game was very clear. We are happy with the performance of the team. Unfortunately, we lost because we were unlucky in the goal they scored. We had some chances to score but we didn’t convert. So now we have to focus on the next game.”

Vicuna acknowledged that even though his team controlled the game in their own half, they struggled in the attacking third which eventually cost them the match.

“I think we have to play better in the last third. In defence and in the midfield we had the ball but in the final third we didn’t participate too much so we have to try and improve this aspect of the game.”

The former Mohun Bagan coach surprised everyone with the team news as new signing Nishu Kumar was left on the bench. The Kerala Blasters manager explained why he fielded Prasnath Karuthadathkuni instead of Kumar in the right-back position.

“We started with 11 players and Prasanth can play very well and today he had a good game. He can play as a right-back. Nishu (Kumar) is an important player for us but he had some problems in the pre-season and we are waiting when he will be a hundred per cent fit,” Vicuna signed off.

SuperSport United chief executive officer Stan Matthews believes that Kaizer Chiefs will be among the big spenders during the 2021 South African winter transfer window.

Amakhosi have been inactive in the current transfer window after failing to overturn a two-window transfer ban imposed on them by Fifa for signing Madagascar international Andriamirado 'Dax'' Andrianarimanana illegally. 

Chiefs can only sign players from July 2021 and their Gauteng rivals Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates have strengthened their squads with new signings and the two giants are expected to mount a serious challenge for the PSL title this term. 

“I said to you guys in our first Zoom meeting, three clubs would come out of this [pandemic] stronger,” Matthews said when speaking to the South African Football Journalists Association on Friday.

“I didn’t factor in Chiefs’ transfer ban, but you can see from the players they will have next season, that are currently plying their trade for other clubs, for a year to have and hold, it will be a different Chiefs in July 2021. I am certain of it. Sundowns and Pirates are streets ahead in terms of squad strength.”

AmaZulu FC have been able to make big signings such as Siphiwe Tshabalala, Luvuyo Memela and Augustine Mulenga after the club was purchased by Durban-based businessman Sandile Zungu.

While Swallows FC have been amongst the busiest clubs in the transfer market after securing promotion from the National First Division (NFD) to the PSL. 

“AmaZulu [with a new owner] have fresh momentum and Swallows have been signing, but besides that, you don’t see too much," Matthews continued. 

SuperSport signed Mpho Mathebula and Keenan Phillips from the now-defunct Bidvest Wits, former Polokwane City goalkeeper George Chigova, ex-Stellenbosch FC marksman Iqraam Rayners and Lucky Mohomi, who joined Matsatsantsa from Mamelodi Sundowns.

Matthews revealed that the Tshwane giants are highly unlikely to make any further signings and he also explained why Wits and Highlands Park sold their PSL statuses ahead of the current campaign.

“There will be no more activity from SuperSport and obviously it is a bit of a knock, especially for the fans in what is perceived to be a bit of a quiet window,” he added.

“But we have a different perspective in terms of where we are as a club. We are proud of every member of staff in our club received a full salary and that there were no retrenchments.

“This is an industry where Wits and Highlands Park looked and said it was no longer viable (to have a club). Being emotional in the transfer market does happen and can get you in a situation where the numbers don’t make sense.

"We have had to say ‘hang on a second, we have preserved everyone through this crisis and there may be a second wave (of the coronavirus).’ We have to hold as much as we have without being too risky.”

Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers believes British managers are just as talented as their foreign counterparts and deserve more respect for their achievements.

Rodgers took over at the Foxes in February 2019 and steered the club to a fifth-placed finish in the 2019-20 campaign, missing out on a Champions League spot on the final day of the season.

His side have enjoyed a stellar start to the new season too, and sit top of the Premier League after winning six of their opening eight games. 

Rodgers is widely considered to be one of the best British managers of his generation, having come close to winning the Premier League with Liverpool in 2014. 

He also led Celtic to seven domestic trophies during his two-and-a-half seasons in charge of the Scottish club before he joined Leicester.

The Northern Irishman has got the better of Pep Guardiola, Marcelo Bielsa and Mikel Arteta already this season and sarcastically said "because I'm a British manager, I got lucky" following a 4-1 win over Bielsa's Leeds United on November 2. 

Speaking ahead of Sunday's trip to former club Liverpool, Rodgers talked up the merits of British managers and believes they have it tougher than their continental colleagues. 

"As an island we produce very good coaches," he told a media conference on Friday. "The systems in place in the last 15 years have ensured we do well in game. 

"As British managers we are always judged in the most difficult league in the world. 

"There was a question after the Leeds game about Bielsa, Pep and Mikel but, with all due respect, Mikel has been a manager less than one year. 

"We've got a load of great coaches. You just want respect for your work."

Rodgers goes up against the man who replaced him as Reds boss following his dismissal in October 2015 this weekend, with Jurgen Klopp's side just a point behind Leicester at the Premier League summit. 

Klopp guided the Merseyside outfit to their first top-flight title in 30 years last season and Rodgers is impressed with everything the German has achieved at Anfield. 

"I know first-hand the job he's done," he added. "The expectation was huge and it's not all plain sailing.

"He had great support from the board to get the right profile of players. But the whole package of what he's done is a brilliant job. He has a great connection with the supporters and the players."

Former SuperSport United defender and captain Thabo September believes Gavin Hunt can plug Kaizer Chiefs' leaky defence.

This is after the 5-0 humiliation, on aggregate, by Orlando Pirates in the two-legged MTN8 semi-final recently raised a few eyebrows.

Amakhosi have conceded nine goals in six games under their new head coach. They have only managed to keep two clean sheets, are without suspended defender Erick Mathoho and utility-defender Reeve Frosler, and do not expect new signings until next season’s transfer window.

''You don't often hear of Kaizer Chiefs losing 3-0 to any team in the league, be it the rivals, Orlando Pirates, September told Goal.

"You won't see that again this season. Gavin [Hunt] will make sure that he works on his defense this season and think ahead for next season that he can boost his squad going forward, in terms of attack.

''But I don't see him doing much in terms of his attack, but he is one person that will go on to make sure that his defense is solid.''

Chiefs are back in action this weekend with a trip to Golden Arrows, who are anticipating a tough encounter according to their coach Mandla Ncikazi.

''We anticipate that our match against Kaizer Chiefs will be the toughest that we've played thus far,'' said Ncikazi.

''Based on the fact that one, they are a big team with quality players, rich history behind them and the fact that results have not been favourable to them lately.

‘‘And I am sure that coach Gavin Hunt, who I respect very much, will motivate and inspire his team to try and get the points against us.

''If I had a choice, I would not have preferred to play Kaizer Chiefs at this point in time. But the fixture dictates that we meet them on Saturday afternoon.

"From our part, the encouraging factor is that our team is in a good space, highly confident and have the belief.

''"We trust our processes and plans based on how we have prepared for this match and I am highly optimistic that we shall get the positive result on Saturday afternoon.''  

Fifth-placed Arrows will go into this match without the services of suspended Zimbabwe international defender Devine Lunga.

Moussa Sissoko believes Jose Mourinho is the right man to lead Tottenham to Premier League glory.

Spurs sit in second place in the Premier League after eight games of the season, and can move to the top of the table with a win against Manchester City on Saturday.

Victory over Pep Guardiola’s City would cement Tottenham’s status as genuine title contenders, and Sissoko feels much of the credit for their fine start to the season should go to Mourinho.

“It's good to have a manager who knows how to win,” Sissoko told the Mirror. “It's as simple as that.

"Every club wants to win trophies, to win every week. Of course everyone would like to have a team playing great football, creating a lot of chances and giving the opponents no occasion to score.

“But the main thing is to win games. He knows how to do it and he's done it many times. But he also knows how to play, to give a difficult time to the opponent.

"Having a mix of both is perfect. So let's use it.”

Looking at Saturday’s game, Sissoko feels Spurs cannot go into the contest with any fear.

He said: “It's City but we are Tottenham: we don't have to be afraid of them. If we want to go far in this league, we have to beat them of course.”

Mourinho celebrated his one-year anniversary at Tottenham on Friday. Spurs moved for the Portuguese following the departure of Mauricio Pochettino.

Pochettino turned Tottenham into a serious force both domestically and in Europe, but failed to secure any silverware.

They went agonisingly close in the Champions League, losing to Liverpool in the 2019 final.

Midfielder Sissoko claims the loss in Madrid left a mark, and that Mourinho - who Jurgen Klinsmann feels has the nastiess to lead them to glory - has injected belief back into the squad.

“Before Jose came, we were struggling a little bit,” Sissoko said. “I would say that the final impacted on us because to lose that final was a big drama for us. We came back with a lot of motivation to do well. But something was missing.

“Jose came and he came with a lot of energy, a lot of positive things and he came with a new philosophy and that helped us to come out again.”

Looking at the race for the Premier League, Sissoko feels lifting the title could free Spurs to go on an extended spell of success.

“There is a big opportunity,” he said. “We can see the league is very open.

"A lot of teams are losing points so it's tight. We have a good and big team so we can beat anyone in this league.

“If one trophy comes, a lot will follow but it's not that easy. So let's work all together, try to win a lot of games, try to get something at the end.”

Confederation of African Football (Caf) has outlined a possible ban that Gor Mahia are likely to face should they fail to abide by the orders banning coach Roberto Oliveira Goncalves.

Robertinho, as the coach is commonly known, has been banned from overseeing Gor Mahia’s Caf Champions League engagements as he does not possess coaching license required by the football governing body.

“Reference to the licensing procedure for the Caf inter-club season 2020/21, we confirm the receipt of the coaching license for your participating club,” Caf, in a letter signed by the acting secretary-general Abdelmounaim Bah, said in a statement obtained by Goal.

“Kindly note that the Caf Technical and Development Committee has confirmed the application of the below coaching requirements in the Caf inter-club 2020/21 season.

“Mandatory valid Caf ‘A’ license for the coaches of the participating teams, to exceptionally allow the participation of head coaches holding a valid Caf ‘B’ licence for countries that have not organised any Caf license courses in the last five years.

“To entitle head coaches holding valid Uefa Pro License or other confederations valid Pro Licence subject to providing a letter of recognition of competence from Caf.

“To not recognise any other head coach with confederation or national diplomas/certificates.”

The Kenyan champions risk being kicked out of the continent’s premier club tournament should they fail to enforce the order banning the former Rayon Sports coach.

“In respect of the above, we would like to communicate that as per the coaching licenses information received from your participating clubs the head coach of Gor Mahia Roberto Oliveira does not meet the above requirements and consequently will not be allowed to sit on the touchline during the matches of the Caf inter-club competitions of 2020/21,” Caf added.

“Accordingly, you [FKF) kindly are requested to inform the following decision to your club and instruct the relevant club to implement the set decision in the Caf inter-club 2020/21 matches.

“Kindly note that in case of non-respect of the decision, the case will be submitted to the relevant disciplinary body in order to decide on the appropriate sanction to be imposed on the club which may put at risk the participation of your club in the Caf inter-club 2020/21 season.”

Gor Mahia will face APR of Rwanda in the preliminary round in the Champions League.

Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce has slammed Miguel Almiron's agent, calling him an "amateur looking to make a fast buck" after he suggested his client would've already left the club were it not for the coronavirus pandemic.

Almiron joined Newcastle in January 2019 from MLS side Atlanta United but according to his representative Daniel Campos, the Paraguay international is already eyeing up his next move.

"Miguel Almiron was being observed by Atletico Madrid but no offer was made. When everything returns to normal, Miguel will take a leap in quality," Campos told Paraguayan radio station Futgol 970 this week.

"Miguel’s work rate at Newcastle and Paraguay has been great. If it wasn’t for the pandemic, he would have been elsewhere. Perhaps he would like to play for a team that has a lot of possession. Maybe in June, he’ll make that jump."

Almiron's current boss, naturally, did not take too kindly to suggestions that one of his key players is already looking to leave. Bruce, though, saved his ire for Campos rather than the 26-year-old midfielder.

“The quotes were so outrageous, it was bordering on the ridiculous,” Bruce said of Campos' words.  

“The agent proves to me he is an amateur looking to make a fast buck, which is pretty ridiculous. An agent who, two years in, is probably trying to profit again and take him somewhere else is just hugely disrespectful to all of us, and to this club, which has served Miguel so well, in particular.”

Bruce did, however, say he would also have a discussion with Almiron to ensure they are on the same page.

“I will have a conversation with him, of course,” Bruce added. “But Miguel is an unbelievable pro who has a great attitude to everything and is always smiling.

"If it was Miguel, who I’ve had the pleasure to work with for the last 15 months, knocking on my door and having a problem, I’d listen. But it’s a two-bob agent who has been hugely disrespectful to his client.”

Almiron has made 10 total appearances for Newcastle this season, scoring one goal and adding three assists. 

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) president Amaju Pinnick has insisted there is no reason for the sacking of Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr.

The German tactician has been in charge of the Nigerian national team since 2016 and recently signed a new two-year contract after satisfying his bosses at the NFF.

He guided the West Africans to the 2018 World Cup in Russia with ease and led the side to finish third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations Egypt.

Rohr came under a barrage of criticism after a four-game winless run, including his side’s back-to-back draws against Sierra Leone in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Nigeria’s Minister of Sports and Youth Development Sunday Dare also expressed his displeasure with the run of not-too impressive performances, questioning the competency and the suitability of the 67-year-old.

Pinnick, has, however, come in the defence of Rohr, highlighting the stats of the Super Eagles since he took charge of the three-time African champions. 

"Nobody is happy about what happened against Sierra Leone in both matches," Pinnick told BBC Sport Africa.

"But it is not enough to sack the coach because his team is still top of the Nations Cup group after four matches.

"His statistics speak volume for him, so on what indexes do we want to sack him considering the contract recently signed by both parties.

"No matter how emotional and disappointed the fans are, there's no basis to sack him now and he deserves to keep his job.

"When you look at his performance, where he has won 29 matches, drew 14 and lost 10, you can say that is enough to back him.

"Yes, the performance in the last two games has not gone down well with some people, but we need to be professional, honest and respectful in how we analyse things."

Despite the draw against Sierra Leone, Nigeria still maintain their lead on the top of Group L of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifying table with eight points from four games.

The Super Eagles will next take on the Republic of Benin and Lesotho in their last two games in the qualifying campaign in March 2021.